A late-day shot of the beautiful pond in the shadow of Forgetmenot Mountain, near Bragg Creek, Alberta.
This cheeky gray jay (whiskey jack) was out with his buddies, buzzing daringly near my hubby and I, looking for handouts. The pond is a popular picnic site and fishing hole during the summer, so the birds are used to getting “people” food. I know they don’t migrate south for the winter, but I had to look up their cold-weather diet: like their Corvidae relatives magpies and crows, they’ll eat pretty much anything from fruit to carrion, and they’ll even cache food in trees (actually, “on” trees is more accurate, as they apparently glue their food to tree branches using their saliva). Interesting little guys. I find them so entertaining to watch.
Flowery Prose 
The Forgetmenot mountain is gorgeous and the Whiskey Jack is wonderful…I think I’ve only seen them in brown?…..does that sound right?
Jean
There are several different kinds of jays, so maybe that common name is used for more than one type…I will have to do some reading and find out. I’m curious now…. 🙂
Gorgeous pictures and what a sweet, beautiful little bird. Hugs
They are adorable little things, aren’t they? Very cheeky, too! 🙂 Hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend so far!
Yes, they are. My weekend had been a very nice one. Hope you have had a nice one too.
Absolutely beautiful pictures!
Thank you – it was such a gorgeous afternoon.
Such a small beak for a member of the crow family and such a pretty bird. Snow on the mountains!
I know – snow already! 🙂 We’re supposed to get hit with four centimetres overnight here in the city, but there’s been snow up in higher elevations for a while now.
Your comment about the size of the gray jay’s beak is an interesting one – especially as they eat similar foods. The jays seem to have beaks more like the shrikes, don’t they? Fascinating, and not something I had previously thought of.
Hope the snow over-night wasn’t too troublesome. Yes, the bills are more shrike-like.
Oh. One of the things I most miss about Alberta is the whiskey jack. Great photos!
Thank you! Whiskey jacks are so fun to watch – I can see why you’d miss their antics.
Beautiful, Sheryl.
Thank you, Cynthia – always something interesting to see in the mountains.
Forgetmenot Mountain – it is like somewhere from a fairy tale! Beautiful.
It does have a fantastic ring to it, doesn’t it? I have to research why it is named so.
Is that snow already on the mountains?
Yes…there have been a few snowfalls already in the higher elevations. Some people are putting the snow tires on their vehicles here in the city in anticipation. ‘Tis the season!
That’s a great shot of your Whiskey Jack! The view there is lovely too. Is that snow I see on the mountains?
Yes, snow already! Fortunately, just at that altitude. 🙂 It’s a pretty little spot – I’m looking forward to returning in the spring to see if I can find any wildflowers.
These photos are so beautiful!! I love the way the sun breaks through the clouds and follow a path on the water, magical! Do you know why it is called Forget-me-not Mountain…a sad love story of a lonesome homesteader maybe? It makes the imagination run wild!
And I have a special fondness for the whole family of Corvidea…all such beautiful and clever birds. What treat this post is! Thank you, Johanna
Thank you very much, Johanna, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I can’t seem to find any information about how the mountain (and later, the pond) got its name – I wonder if it is somehow related to the wildflowers, the alpine forget-me-nots. I do love your version much more, though, so romantic! I will keep searching…. 🙂
I love the corvids, too – they are all remarkable birds, with fascinating personalities.
Wonderful photos. I enjoyed reading about your jay bird.
They are a delight to watch – I just love the corvids, they’re so clever and full of personality.
Great view of mountain and pond and wonderful little Whiskey Jack. Hadn’t heard of this bird before.
Finding whiskey jacks (or rather, having them find you, which is usually the case – they’re ALWAYS looking for food) is such a treat – they have huge personalities!
I like that cute little Whiskey Jack. Is it ever sweet. Beautiful picture of the pond, considering it is so late in the day.
Thanks, Kathy! It’s really a lovely spot to walk – and the whiskey jacks are just plain fun.
Hope you and your family are doing well! Have a wonderful weekend!
Breathtaking!
Thank you! The light was so interesting that evening, perfect for photos.
Even if these photos weren’t superb, I’d love this post because of the names of the mountain and the bird! The photos are great examples of how beautiful gray and black can be.
Thank you so much! I love your observation about colour (or lack thereof). 🙂
What a sweet little feathered friend to adore. I can’t help but smile when I watch a bird in the garden.
It’s true – I think many species are just so expressive, so exuberant with their movements and behaviour. They really are delightful to watch.
What gorgeous photos, Sheryl. I love that sweet little bird. We don’t see many in that light grey color. I’ve never heard of gluing food to a tree. Isn’t nature something? So many ways to stash, store, hide and collect dinner.
It’s true – nature is endlessly fascinating! And you’re right…much of it involves food: acquiring it and keeping the larders stocked! 🙂
Whiskey Jack, what a great name for a bird.
It totally suits the personalities of these little guys!
what a sweet bird!
They are little cuties, that’s for sure – and they have HUGE attitude to go alongside. 🙂